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Chapter14
Guṇa-traya-vibhāga-yoga · 27 verses
The Three Modes of Material Nature
Rising beyond goodness, passion and ignorance through unfailing devotional service.
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Verse notes
Every verse in simple words, from Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Tap a verse to study it in depth.
BG 14.1Supreme Wisdom and Perfection
Study this verse- The Supreme Lord again declares the highest knowledge, through which all the sages attained supreme perfection.
- Prabhupāda explains that this chapter teaches how nature’s modes bind and liberate us. Understanding it leads to an understanding of devotional service.
- Seek to understand this knowledge, which has brought great sages to perfection in the spiritual world.
BG 14.2Sharing the Lord’s Spiritual Nature
Study this verse- By becoming fixed in this knowledge, one attains a spiritual nature like the Lord’s, without birth at creation or disturbance at dissolution.
- Prabhupāda explains that liberated souls share the Lord’s spiritual qualities but remain individuals, lovingly serving Him.
- Develop spiritual qualities to gain this knowledge and become free from the effects of material creation and destruction.
BG 14.3The Lord Makes Birth Possible
Study this verse- The Lord impregnates the total material substance, called Brahman, making the birth of all living beings possible.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Lord joins the soul with material nature; matter alone does not produce living beings.
- Each living being receives a body according to past deeds and enjoys or suffers accordingly.
BG 14.4Kṛṣṇa, Father of All Life
Study this verse- All species are born in material nature, and Kṛṣṇa is their seed-giving father.
- Prabhupāda explains that material nature is the mother, and living beings appear in various forms according to their past deeds.
- Understand that Kṛṣṇa is the original father of every living being.
BG 14.5Three Modes of Nature
Study this verse- Material nature has three modes—goodness, passion and ignorance—which condition the eternal living being when he contacts nature.
- Prabhupāda explains that the living being is beyond material nature, yet acts under these modes when conditioned.
- Different bodies lead living beings to act according to different aspects of nature, causing varied happiness and distress.
BG 14.6How Goodness Can Bind
Study this verse- Goodness is purer than the other modes. It brings understanding and freedom from sinful reactions, but binds one to happiness and knowledge.
- Prabhupāda explains that pride in knowledge and feeling better than others keep one bound to material life and repeated birth and death.
- Do not mistake material happiness and greater knowledge for liberation.
BG 14.7Bound by Passion
Study this verse- Passion is born of unlimited desires and longings, binding us to work for material rewards.
- Prabhupāda explains that desires for pleasure, family happiness and social honor drive hard work and bind us to its results.
- Notice how longing for material enjoyment can keep you working hard for more rewards.
BG 14.8The Mode of Ignorance
Study this verse- The mode of darkness comes from ignorance. It deludes living beings and binds the soul through madness, laziness and sleep.
- Prabhupāda explains that ignorance blocks clear understanding. People neglect the eternal spirit while working hard to gather money.
- Take interest in spiritual understanding rather than neglecting it through laziness or excessive sleep.
BG 14.9How the Modes Bind
Study this verse- Goodness binds one to happiness, passion to work for results, and ignorance to madness by covering knowledge.
- Prabhupāda explains that goodness brings satisfaction in work or study, while passion leads to gathering wealth and spending for good causes.
- Actions in ignorance do no good for oneself or anyone else.
BG 14.10The Modes Compete
Study this verse- Goodness, passion, and ignorance constantly compete, with each sometimes overcoming the other two.
- Prabhupāda explains that advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness requires going beyond all three modes to pure goodness, where one can understand God.
- Practice developing goodness to overcome passion and ignorance, while aiming to go beyond goodness too.
BG 14.11Signs of Goodness
Study this verse- The mode of goodness is shown when knowledge lights up all the gates of the body.
- Prabhupāda explains that the body has nine gates. In goodness, one sees, hears and tastes things rightly.
- Other signs of goodness are cleanliness inside and outside, and happiness at every gate.
BG 14.12Signs of Passion
Study this verse- As passion increases, strong attachment, work for results, intense effort, and uncontrollable desires develop.
- Prabhupāda explains that a person in passion is never satisfied and keeps seeking a better position and more sense pleasure.
- Recognize constant dissatisfaction and endless desire for sense pleasure as signs of passion.
BG 14.13Signs of the Mode of Ignorance
Study this verse- As ignorance increases, darkness, inactivity, madness and illusion appear.
- Prabhupāda explains that a person in ignorance lacks knowledge and acts without rules or purpose.
- Notice the tendency to make no effort even when you are able to work; this is a sign of ignorance.
BG 14.14Dying in Goodness
Study this verse- One who dies in the mode of goodness reaches the pure higher planets of the great sages.
- Prabhupāda explains that goodness is the purest form of life in the material world, free from passion and ignorance.
- On these higher planets, great sages and great devotees live, and one enjoys godly happiness.
BG 14.15The Aim of Human Life
Study this verse- Death in passion leads to birth among those working for rewards; death in ignorance leads to animal life.
- Prabhupāda explains that human birth is not guaranteed again. From animal life, one must gradually rise back to human life.
- Take to goodness and good association, then rise beyond the modes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness—the aim of human life.
BG 14.16The Results of Action
Study this verse- Pious action in goodness brings pure results; action in passion brings misery; action in ignorance brings foolishness.
- Prabhupāda explains that material possessions do not bring real happiness, and killing animals for food is deep ignorance.
- Take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which Prabhupāda calls the easiest process to save humanity from the greatest danger.
BG 14.17Goodness Brings Real Knowledge
Study this verse- Goodness develops real knowledge; passion develops greed; ignorance develops foolishness, madness and illusion.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa consciousness develops goodness, helping people see things clearly and making peace and prosperity possible.
- Practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness to rise to goodness, rather than relying on money for happiness.
BG 14.18Where the Three Modes Lead
Study this verse- Goodness leads upward to higher planets, passion keeps one on earthly planets, and ignorance leads down to hellish worlds.
- Prabhupāda explains that continued ignorance can lead to life below the human level and a very dark future.
- Take the opportunity of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to rise from passion and ignorance to goodness.
BG 14.19Beyond the Modes of Nature
Study this verse- One who sees that the modes of nature perform all activities and knows the Supreme Lord beyond them attains His spiritual nature.
- Prabhupāda explains that a genuine spiritual master helps us understand our spiritual position and become firmly fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Learn from those fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and surrender to Kṛṣṇa to become free from the modes’ control.
BG 14.20Spiritual Happiness Even Now
Study this verse- By rising above the three modes, one can become free from birth, death, old age, and their distress, and enjoy spiritual happiness even now.
- Prabhupāda explains that spiritual knowledge frees one from the modes. Devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the sign of liberation.
- Grow in spiritual knowledge and devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness to experience spiritual happiness even in this body.
BG 14.21Questions About Transcending the Modes
Study this verse- Arjuna asks how to recognize someone beyond the three modes, how that person behaves, and how to transcend the modes.
- Prabhupāda explains that knowing the direct means to remain beyond the modes is essential; without this, one cannot show the symptoms.
- Seek to understand the means of rising beyond the modes, not just the outward signs.
BG 14.22Beyond the Material Modes
Study this verse- One beyond the modes does not hate illumination, attachment, or delusion when present, or long for them when absent.
- Prabhupāda explains that serving Kṛṣṇa frees the devotee from identifying with the body and seeking pleasure through it.
- Perform your duty in Kṛṣṇa consciousness without being disturbed by honor or dishonor.
BG 14.23Undisturbed by the Modes
Study this verse- One beyond the modes stays steady and neutral, knowing that the modes of nature alone are acting.
- Prabhupāda explains that devotional service to Kṛṣṇa frees one from identifying with the body and seeking pleasure for the senses.
- Serve Kṛṣṇa steadily, without letting honor or dishonor disturb your duty.
BG 14.24Steady Beyond the Modes
Study this verse- One beyond the modes is steady in happiness and distress, sees earth, stone and gold equally, and remains balanced in praise and blame.
- Prabhupāda explains that devotional service to Kṛṣṇa frees one from identifying with the body and seeking pleasure through it.
- Do your duty in Kṛṣṇa consciousness without being disturbed by praise or blame.
BG 14.25Beyond the Material Modes
Study this verse- One beyond the modes remains equal in honor and dishonor, treats friend and enemy alike, and renounces all material activities.
- Prabhupāda explains that such a devotee acts for Kṛṣṇa, not for personal enjoyment, and becomes free from the modes through devotional service.
- Do your duty in Kṛṣṇa consciousness without being disturbed by honor or dishonor.
BG 14.26Devotion Beyond Material Nature
Study this verse- Full devotional service, steady in all circumstances, immediately lifts one beyond the modes of material nature to the level of Brahman.
- Prabhupāda explains that the devotee shares Kṛṣṇa’s spiritual qualities but remains an individual, exchanging love with Him.
- Rather than being disturbed by material nature’s activities, focus on acting for Kṛṣṇa with steady determination.
BG 14.27Kṛṣṇa Is the Basis
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is the basis of impersonal Brahman, which is immortal, imperishable, eternal and the position of ultimate happiness.
- Prabhupāda explains that Brahman realization is the beginning; realizing the Supreme Person is the highest stage. Devotional service includes Brahman realization and eternal happiness.
- Practice hearing, chanting and remembering the Lord with devotees to weaken the desire to control material nature and grow firm in loving service.
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Stories
The Mahābhārata background, and stories Prabhupāda tells in his purports. Tap one to read it.